Matala. The hippies’ paradise!
On the border between Mesara and Mt. Asterousia, 70 km SW of Heraklion, lies Matala, a small fishers’ village boasting one of the most renowned beaches of southern Crete (named Matala as well).
On the golden beach of 300m in length you will find a number of caves carved into the soft white limestone, many of which are reachable through the sea way while others are hidden underwater. Archaeological findsindicate that the area had been inhabited for the first time in the Prehistoric Era, while during Roman and Christian times the caves were used as tombs. Admire the church, which is actually carved out of the rock and was used as a catacomb during the times of the Christians’ persecution. The area was also the port of Phaistos during the Minoan period and of Gortyna during the Roman times.
Matala gained international fame in the 60’s and 70’s, when it was discovered by the hippies. The restless lovers of “flower power” were flocking to Matala in the search of a place of freedom, inspiration and creation. Important celebrities such as Joni Mitchell (she has also written a song about Matala, namedCarrey), Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Joan Baez and Cat Stevens were only some of them.